For over two hundred years in African-American churches throughout the country, gospel and spiritual music have offered solace and have been a source of celebration, leaving a mark not only on the Christian world, but on popular music as well. Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit contains the lyrics and music of 101 of the most widely known and cherished of these pieces, ranging from heartrending spirituals from the times of slavery to songs of unity from the civil rights movement and contemporary times. The book also presents a biography of each composer and a history of the evolution of each song, examining its role in enabling African-Americans to summon the strength to carry on in the face of adversity. An important historical document as well as an inspirational gift, this book captures the rich connections between song and experience as no other volume does.